I let my brown locks loose as usual and threw on the worn out hoodie over my usual tee and pair of jeans. Grabbing my backpack from the corner beside my bedroom door, I climbed down the stairs and walked into the kitchen to grab a quick waffle and say a brief goodbye to my parents before heading for school.

The walk wasn’t long, I live 15 minutes away and it was bearable with earphones plugged in your ears. I put my music on shuffle and started walking. The sun was covered with some clouds today and the weather’s kind of windy, thank God. I swear I almost died of dehydration the other day.

By the time I saw the school’s gates, I had 5 minutes to gather my things from the locker and head to class. Rushing to it, I arrived just as the bell rang. I immediately headed for my usual seat, right beside the window that overlooked the school’s grass-field.

The school compound wasn’t small. I practically grew up in this town. I spent my entire education in the same school. It has a Montessori department, elementary department, junior high and high school, talk about a complete school. After looking at the same faces, same tables, halls and teachers for 16 years, it gets kind of boring.

No longer than a minute later, my homeroom teacher entered the room. He was well in his late 30s but he has always worn a kind smile while addressing all of us. Mr. Thompson is one of the best teachers the school can offer and that was fine by me.

“Good morning class! We are having a transfer student today and I would appreciate it if you all can welcome him warmly into the school’s community.” I didn’t even bother looking up. The girls gushing over the new kid and the guys greeting him with quick, brief, cocky smirks said it all. It was enough to tell me he was a soon- to-be member of the popular clique which means another bully for me.

Yay me!

The only vacant seat though, was right by my side and I shuffled my seat away from it as subtly as possible just as the seat beside mine made scrapping sounds while it was being pulled back by the new kid. Ah, great. Just dandy!

I glared at the table but snapped out of it when a chuckle came from beside me.

“What did that table ever do to you?” A deep voice asked.

I forgot to set myself back to nerdy me and let a few reckless words slip, “It was more of something it didn’t do.” I muttered through clenched teeth.

“I’m Adam by the way.” The new kid introduced himself while I stayed silent and kept my head down. I wasn’t going to let him get under my skin. He’ll be popular the second that bell rings so I won’t be getting fond of him anytime soon.

After a few minutes, he decided to break the ice, “And you are?”

“Nerd.” I told him simply.

He chuckled lightly before realizing that I was serious and it turned into a frown. “That can’t be right.” He muttered to me.

I shrugged in response, “It’s what people call me so it just sticks after a while.”

“Okay, what do your friends call you then?”

“Freak.”

“Oh come on.” He groaned lowly.

I tried to prevent the ends of my mouth from quirking up but failed miserably and he caught that slight change and of course he’s got to be flirtatious about it.

“You should smile more, it suits you.”

I rolled my eyes when I heard the cheesy line. Yeah right. Nice try. Seriously, someone, do me a favor and please whack him upside the head.

The class went on forever as Mr. Thompson went over the lessons from last week and I decided to do some doodling and sure enough, not a minute later some puppies and roses surrounded with vines full of thorns covered my notebook’s corner.

The bell rang and I hit the door before the new kid can say anything. With one hand on my bag strap and the other holding my notebook, I dashed out of there like a mad man in an attempt to avoid anymore unnecessary conversations. I didn’t get a good look at him but I didn’t care. I won’t be seeing him anytime soon.

Boy, was I wrong.